McConnell embraces subpoena of Obama-era officials

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHaspel not in attendance at latest Trump intelligence briefing: reports Overnight Defense: Another Defense official resigns | Pentagon chief says military 'remains strong' despite purge | Top contender for Biden DOD secretary would be historic pick Lincoln Project resurfaces Kellyanne Conway tweet calling 306 electoral votes 'historic' MORE (R-Ky.) signaled on Tuesday that he is backing efforts to subpoena Obama-era officials.

McConnell, speaking from the Senate floor, referenced Senate Judiciary Committee Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamLincoln Project resurfaces Kellyanne Conway tweet calling 306 electoral votes 'historic' Conservative justices help save Obamacare — for now The Hill's Morning Report - Biden wins Arizona, confers with Dem leaders; Trump tweets MORE’s (R-S.C.) announcement that he will schedule a vote for a wide-ranging subpoena on June 4.

“Senate Republicans are taking steps to issue new subpoenas to a wide variety of Obama administration officials. ... The American people deserve answers about how such abuses could happen. And we intend to get those answers,” he said.

Graham announced on Monday evening that that he would have the committee vote on the subpoena as part of an investigation into the court established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and “Crossfire Hurricane,” the name for the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Graham’s subpoena would cover dozens of officials including Attorney General William BarrBill BarrNext attorney general must embrace marijuana law reforms Federal judge moves E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit against Trump forward 'Stolen election' rhetoric: more dangerous than you might think MORE and FBI Director Christopher Wray, as well as former Deputy Attorney General Sally YatesSally Caroline YatesMcCabe defends investigation of Trump before Senate committee: We had 'many reasons' Why it's time for a majority female Cabinet What a Biden administration should look like MORE, former national security adviser Susan Rice, former Deputy Attorney General Rod RosensteinRod RosensteinTrump turns his ire toward Cabinet members Ex-deputy attorney general says Justice Dept. 'will ignore' Trump's threats against political rivals The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump's erratic tweets upend stimulus talks; COVID-19 spreads in White House MORE and former FBI Director James ComeyJames Brien ComeyMcCabe defends investigation of Trump before Senate committee: We had 'many reasons' The Memo: Trump retains narrow path to victory Analysis: Where the swing states stand in Trump-Biden battle MORE.

Sen. Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonGOP senators say Warren nomination would divide Republicans Deadlock leaves no clear path for lame-duck coronavirus deal  Senate GOP calls grow to give Biden access to intelligence briefings MORE (R-Wis.), the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, is also months into a wide-ranging probe on potential wrongdoing or conflicts of interest stemming from the Obama administration and has indicated that he will also look into the investigation of former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn. 

President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump: New York won't receive COVID-19 vaccine immediately Biden considering Yellen as possible Treasury secretary: report Trump puts Giuliani in charge of election lawsuits: report MORE has publicly pressured Republicans to dig into decisions stemming from the Obama-era Justice Department and FBI.

“Mitch, I love you, but this is 100% true. Time is running out. Get tough and move quickly, or it will be too late. The Dems are vicious, but got caught. They MUST pay a big price for what they have done to our Country. Don’t let them get away with this!“ Trump tweeted over the weekend in reference to the Obama administration.

McConnell, on Tuesday, said the Obama administration used the FISA court to “snoop” on Trump’s campaign. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found a total of 17 inaccuracies and omissions in the FISA warrants involving former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Horowitz said in his report that he did not believe the opening of the investigation was motivated by political bias. 

“This is just one of the realities that President Trump’s Democratic critics spent years calling conspiracy theories or inventions of the president’s mind. Yet here it is, in black and white, from exactly the kind of independent inspector general that Democrats rush to embrace when convenient,” McConnell said.